WATERVLIET -- Although demolition at the St. Patrick's property started at the rear boiler house Wednesday, work has been halted for the remainder of the site by a court order preventing the destruction of the former church.

The Appellate Court has issued a temporary restraining order to prevent demolition, with the exception of the boiler house, according to Paul Goldman, who is representing the city in the pending legal action. This hearing included the Citizens for St. Patrick's as the Petitioners and the City of Watervliet Zoning Board of Appeals, City of Watervliet Building Inspector and PCP Watervliet LLC/ Nigro Companies as the Respondents.

A court document from the Third District court stated: "Sufficient reason appearing therefore, it is hereby ordered that Respondents and those acting in concert with them are hereby restrained and enjoined from taking any steps to demolish the subject premises, with the exception of the building known as the boiler house, until a final decision and order of this court is entered on the motion of Petitioners for a preliminary injunction, provided that Petitioners shall file a bond on or before April 4, 2013 at 5 p.m. in the amount of $10,000."

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Calls to the Citizens for St. Patrick's, the preservationist group that has been working to save the 1890s church since last spring, were not returned.

Rosemary Nichols, who has been representing the Citizens, stated in the court document: "The building inspector has issued building permits for demolition in violation of the requirements of the city of Watervliet zoning code, the city comprehensive plan and the NY SEQRA." She added that, "Demolition of an historic building constitutes a classic case of irreparable injury sufficient to justify issuance of a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction."

A judge on the panel agreed with Nichols that the church's demolition would be a irreparable damage at a hearing Wednesday, said Goldman, noting that if a stay is granted by the Appellate Court then the Citizens for St. Patrick's would likely be responsible for paying about $2 million to Nigro which has spent about $1 million on purchasing the property and nearly $1.5 million on demolition preparation.

Another hearing is slated for Monday at 9:30 a.m., according to court documents.